Erikson

=**Erik Erikson**=
 * his work is often referred to as //**psychosocial theory,**// because it relates principles of psychological and social development
 * his theory is an adaptation of the development theories of Sigmund Freud, who trained him as a psychoanalyst.
 * hypothesized that people pass through eight //**psychosocial stages**// in their lifetimes:

**Stage 1: TRUST vs MISTRUST** - Erikson defined basic trust as "an essential trustfulness of others as well as a fundamental senese of one's own trustworthiness." This crisis has a dual nature: Infants not only have their needs met, but they also help in meeting the mother's needs. If the mother is inconsistent or rejecting, she becomes a source of frustration for the infant rather than a source of pleasure. **Stage 2: AUTONOMY vs DOUBT** - The child's desires for power and independence often clash with the desires of the parent. **Stage 3: INITIATIVE vs GUILT** - The child can now express humor, empathy and resilience. **Stage 4: INDUSTRY vs INFERIORITY** - Teachers and peers take on increasing importance. Success brings about a good feeling regarding oneself. **Stage 5: IDENTITY vs ROLE CONFUSION** - the question "Who am I?" becomes important during adolescence. They increasingly turn away from their parents and towards their peers. S**tage 6: INTIMACY vs ISOLATION** - the young adult is now ready to form a new relationship of trust and intimacy with another individual. This relationship should enhance the identity of both partners. **Stage 7: GENERATIVITY vs SELF-ABSORPTION** - "the interest of establishing and guiding the next generation" **Stage 8: INTEGRITY vs DESPAIR** - the final stages of psychosocial development, people look back over their lifetime and resolve their final identity crisis. Acceptance of all this brings a sense of integrity, or wholeness; a realization that one's life has been one's own responsibility.